synflux | ( open ) unfortunately, about me

WHO: Anyone and everyone.
WHAT: Izou being Izou.
WHERE: The busy streets of Shinjuku, what's left of the Nishimuki Tenjinsha shrine in Shinjuku, a run-down looking 7-10, etc.

WHEN: Sometime near the tail-end of the first week.
WARNINGS: Mild violence (right now), severe intoxication.

█ 001, "some people make us feel more human". —

Gerroffa me, you—!

( the sounds of a struggle ensue, and suddenly a couple well-dressed gentlemen are shoving the offender out the club's door. it's pretty obvious he's a bit far-gone with the way he stumbles backwards, arms raises as if to protect himself or perhaps start throwing a mean punch. he doesn't get very far with the idea though, a quick swing of his arm completely missing its target to the irritation of the bouncers who were holding back as best they could. )

T-Try'na... laugh at me. I'll show ya... I'll show ya ALL! I don't forget anyhone... anyone who, crosses my...

( izou quickly discovers how difficult it is to move his mouth properly, visibly flabbergasted at how rapidly his words are starting to slur despite how often he's been through this song-and-dance. it's a familiar strangeness, a something he might find easier to digest as a problem if he weren't so horribly far-gone by most people's standards while a majority of those passing by opt to ignore his cursing and outbursts at the door. gradually, slowly, the chatty drunk realizes that no one's paying him any mind, and, with a couple exaggerated movements, places himself closer to the side of the street against a cold street-light. anything to keep the world from turning for a minute. anything to give him a little comfort.

he'll just... totally get up and leave, any minute now. with a groan, his head starts drooping against the steel that is clearly not designed to be a pillow, hands crawling clumsily up it for support. he's absolutely about to fall asleep in the middle of the city. )

█ 002, "and some people make us feel less human". —

( here, the ever present hum of the city was more faint, and the historic and solemn stone entryway of the temple, adorned with carved pillars and cracks, seemed all the more impressive in the darkness. in fact, one would even call it serene when compared to the hustle and bustle of neo-tokyo, so much so that it's a wonder a spot like this hasn't been entirely torn apart given its proximity to such ruin on the outskirts of shinjuku. tall stalks of grass blow delicately in a breeze, the inherent sensuality of their presence enough to beguile any visitor into venturing up the short steps and into the sacred.

it was easier to breathe here, and those with the courage to approach further into the center of the complex this late at night would see the triumphant emergence of greenery amidst the prayer chambers—new life among wood stained by time and rain. scenery worth committing to memory for anyone who might be losing hope. a glimpse into a world full of air for all who were suffocating.

yes... the perfect spot for some respite, if only a certain man hadn't been tailing behind whatever stranger came here for some peace of mind.

for izou, the night is far from suffocating—it's pleasant, full of sheltered places covered in withered leaves and welcoming to the quick manner his feet move familiarly on the ground without making a sound. a man in his element, aided by an abnormal adeptness in concealing his presence, listening carefully for the slightest shift in movement, the gentle smack of nervous lips. if he weren't so hungry, a cold reminder of how flippantly he tossed his cash around already, the thrill of stalking would bring an even bigger grin to his face... but whatever.

moments later, the soft clink of a blade being unsheathed could be heard as he raised it towards the back of his prey. )

Better start walkin' with a friend at night. Now, take out your valuables.

* alternatively, for those who aren't okay with being surprised and/or more than capable of noticing him following you despite the reduced effectiveness of his presence concealment skill: just assume you caught him before this.

█ 003, "and that is a fact as much as gravity is a fact". —

( it's a convenience store. you know. sickeningly bright, and with the same song looping for the past hour or so. it's the witching hour, and whoever shuffled in was probably just hungry... or bored.

a scrunkly-looking gentleman in an apron at the counter watches whoever's browsing with an impatient expression, a clock in the far-corner wall ticking needlessly the only other sound aside from the shop jingle. after a good ten minutes he smacks a hand down on the counter, shattering the banal background noise with his scratchy voice. )

I'm sick of ya criss-crossin' between shelves like a chicken with it's head chopped off. Buy somethin' or leave.

( my smoke break... )

* Anyone from Brimstone, feel free to recognize Izou from his loud demeanor around their commons.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Kamakura gave her an appreciation for shrines. They're quiet, isolated, peaceful despite the din of civilization just down the steps or across the street. She didn't check the name of this temple before coming in. She didn't feel the need. For one who's never really given much thought to the relationship between the sacred and the profane, these grounds are just a nice place to appreciate a rare moment of quiet.

Except, she never takes the night air as inherently peaceful. There has never been a night where she felt at peace, calm, safe. It proves to be a boon tonight with a blade unsheathing behind her. How long was she aware of him? This stranger in the dark. Truthfully, she hadn't expected him to come so close, but as long as he's outside two meters, he's safe. That's what she tells herself as she sighs, silent. ]

Don't get close to me. It's not wise.

( a drop of water hanging from a limp weed slides down and into the earth, merging with the darkness. )

Hah. Pretty mouthy for someone with yer back wide open.

( even with a scarf drawn close to his neck, something nags at him in the evening chill. a feeling that emerges in recollection from a life spent observing people for long periods of time, for their anger and their body language—a skill developed while staring death in the face, blood dried brown caked on his face. perhaps it could be called a sixth sense for danger, though there doesn't seem to be anything coming his way save that warning. strange. jaw unflinching, he gives the smaller stranger one more look, another intense gaze, to see if he notices anything intimidating about their pose.

it's difficult to tell, which makes it all the more annoying.

izou drives the feeling back down with a slow exhale, turning the one-handed grip of his katana at an angle in an awkward, unrefined style all his own. a continued show of intimidation. )

I'll be the judge of that.

( a normal person would just ask for a hand-out, but here we are... )

[ She can't think of any time she saw a real katana before. That one's pointed at her now is almost funny for its novelty. Almost, but not quite. The only expression on her face as she turns toward her would-be assailant is the same dour look as always, her lips set in a grim line. ]

I mean it.

[ Her statement is punctuated by the rushing of air and the slap of something, several somethings, against the ground. Four handprints face him in the dirt, dug in deep as if pressed down by heavy hands. ]

( oh? things were getting interesting.

the muted palette of the night may be painting the skin of whatever he's confronting, moon hidden behind clouds, but it won't stop him from acting rashly. flirting with death was just another friday night for izou, his immense self-confidence in his ability being what kept him from backing out.

forget his original objective. might as well see what she's on about while he's still in the mood.

it's not as if he thinks anyone else employed by LILITH can even scratch him. )

Quit yer hiding!

( a slide of a step forward, and then the glisten of his blade as he attempts to slash at whatever may be concealing itself. )

[ The rush of air suddenly stops at the same time as the sword. It's like a hand reached up to catch the blade, but there's no flesh to spill blood from doing so, no metal to let out a sharp shing, nothing. Just a blade caught in mid-air, and Lucy turns around slowly to consider her attacker. ]

Stand still.

[ He's just close enough for her to reach out with her vectors. They grasp and push at different parts of his body, arms, legs, chest, and even one on his head, just enough force to make it clear there are hands there. Somewhere. ]

I don't even have to touch you with my own two hands to kill you. So don't tempt me.

Tch—

( the flurry of unseen touches marking up his body is, to say the least, unnerving, the muscle memory of their contact even seconds ago lighting an alarming fire in him. to be taken unawares like this as an assassin... well, he's the one who asked for it, challenging her out in the open like that.

izou leaps back in attempt to give himself an adequate amount of distance, the hazy light of the city in the distance flickering from under an arm that retracts his drawn blade and makes to sheath it.

he gets the message loud and clear this time. best not mess with this one... at least, unless he's sure he's got the upper hand. )

The hell're you 'sposed to be?

( the ocular implant whirrs in the darkness, causing his eyes to shine. )

[ As he backs up, she stays put. She doesn't chase. She knows better than to try that even if she could keep up the advantage. She doesn't answer the question, however. She's heard it too much, hated answering it too much. ]

The only valuable thing I have to give you right now is your life. [ Lucy reaches into her coat pocket to take out a bag. She doesn't toss it to him for fear of the contents falling out. Instead, she places it on a nearby stone lamp where it won't fall over. ] Unless you're just acting out because you're hungry.

[ She turns on her heel and steps away as if unbothered, eager to make her way toward the steps leading away from the temple. ]

( the sky continues to unfold in a fading fury of frozen light, blue tones bordering the forming clouds, almost if the gods themselves were reacting to the tension down below.

izou, meanwhile, remains jumpy. he can feel the hair on his neck rise, gut turning with a distasteful something he hasn't felt in a good while: fear.

even possessing a dangerous weapon... being, a dangerous weapon, a man purportedly a demon in his own right, couldn't keep that shameful feeling from snaking its way up his spine. he grits his teeth, struck by all of this a little too hard and too fast, perhaps, but... if he presses her any further, will he end up on the ground, writhing, alone in this abandoned crevice of a temple? no, he swallows. someone as peerless as himself... doesn't deserve to die. doesn't want to die.

he listens to her offer in frustrated silence, the beauty of the dense darkness the only thing bringing him solace other than her declaration to leave.

when she's a respectable distance from him, the soft tak of her footsteps on gravel reaching his ear, izou finally shuffles over to the worn lamp to search the contents of whatever she left behind. )

( open ) unfortunately, about me

002

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scare his ass

booga booga

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